A Texas tow truck driver could be charged with a crime after allegedly towing a woman's car with her 5-year-old daughter inside. The incident occurred in San Antonio on September 9 around 11 a.m. Delores Bueso, the child's mother, called 911 and jumped into another person's car to follow the tow truck, which reportedly belonged to Trinity Towing.
According to WOAI-TV, Bueso and her daughter were reunited at the tow yard a short time later, and the little girl was not physically harmed, but the situation upset the family. Now, investigators are trying to determine how this happened.
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The mother apparently saw the tow truck driver take off with her car.
Per KENS 5, Bueso parked her car at the La Scalar Apartments in the 7000 block of Blanco Road on Monday morning. She allegedly parked in a fire line and left her 5-year-old daughter in the car with the hazard lights on for five minutes or less while she went into a family member's apartment. During the brief time she was gone, the car was towed.
The car was towed legally.
Police confirmed the car was towed legally, but it appears the driver did not follow protocol when towing the car, WOAI-TV reported. The driver allegedly failed to attach brake lights to the car or secure it with chains, as is required by law during a tow. As soon as Bueso saw what was happening, she began to follow the tow truck driver.
The mother contacted police.
Bueso is reportedly nine months pregnant and got into the car of a witness, who chased after the tow truck driver. The woman apparently had a medical emergency along the way and stopped in an H-E-B parking lot near Blanco and West Avenue, according to WOAI-TV. Police contacted Trinity Towing to make them aware of the situation.
Trinity Towing released a statement about the alleged incident.
In a news release obtained by WOAI-TV, Trinity Towing claimed the driver was called to the scene after a report of a car parked in a fire lane. The company's driver alleged the vehicle was off, and there were no signs of the car being occupied.
"We later learned a little girl was asleep on the floorboard when we first towed the vehicle and was not visible to the driver," the release reads.
The company backed its driver. "While our driver followed all necessary protocols, the situation could have been much more serious. We are relieved that the little girl is safe and unharmed this evening," the statement continued.
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The towing incident is under investigation.
San Antonio Police have launched an investigation against the driver, who could face child endangerment charges, per KENS 5. Trinity Towing released a second statement regarding the investigation.
"We tow thousands of vehicles annually from client properties due to illegal parking, so complaints are an inherent part of our business. We work diligently with the Texas Department of Licensing And Regulation to address and resolve any issues that arise," the company's most recent statement went on to read. "No charges have been filed and the case remains under investigation. At this time, Trinity Towing stands by the tow truck driver and his account of what happened."
